To want to know when we can stop wearing face masks?

[ihatefacemasks]

That's about the size of it. I loathe the bastarding things for every possible reason. Obviously I have to wear them because I don't have a reason not to (I could perfectly easily pretend, in order to obtain exemption, though this would seem unfair on the people who genuinely can't wear them). But AIBU to want to know when we will be allowed to stop with this nonsense? Does the R rate have to reach a certain target? Does there have to be a vaccination? WTF will make a difference? Why has nobody given us any indication?

Masks are easier to breathe through than ventilators.

FML its still alive aned kicking isnt it. How depressing. :(

@userxx Of course it is, it's the truth, and the truth will remain alive and kicking.

@Timekeeper2 But it's not the "truth", is it? It's a trite little phrase which suggests that the choice is a simple one between a mask and a ventilator. Which is patently bollocks.

Even if you're sold on the benefits of wearing masks, the benefits are for other people, not for you. Wearing a mask is protecting everyone else if you want to think of it in that way, not protecting yourself against a ventilator.

It's the same sort of sanctimonious wankery which includes ridiculous statements about children dying and had people phoning the police in March to report a neighbour buying Easter Eggs.

And it's also COMPLETELY missing the point the OP was making which was that she is wearing masks, and hates it.

But don't let anything stand in your want of trotting out the latest crappy soundbite you've seen on Facebook, right? Oh well. At least it's an easy way to work out which posters are hard of thinking.

@amijustparanoidorjuststoned

Ummm... if you want, I could just call the virus up directly and ask it to just stop existing, because the OP doesn't want to wear a mask.

Masks are easier to breathe through than ventilators.

You don't breathe through a ventilator, it breathes for you while you are sedated. So no effort on the part of the patient.

Masks are easier to breathe through than ventilators

Getting useless soundbites from a meme is easier to do than think up something original.

@Timekeeper2 Please stop, it's embarrassing.

If you wear a mask according to the journals and reports (Nature/Lancet/Oxford/Imperial College among others) you are between 60 and 70% less likely to be infected by Covid if you come into contact with someone who has the virus.

Until someone can link to a similarly respected study (and I note we have the queen of the link/copy and paste on the thread so she should be able to) I'll trust the scientists.

Of course it's not a choice between a mask or a ventilator, and of course wearing a mask isn't nice. But the continuing denial that they actually work is, frankly, veering into David Icke territory. It really is. And the abuse meted out on this thread and others by the same posters is tiresome. Construct an argument by all means, but the swearing and shouting (frequently at posters for things they haven't even said) is ridiculous.

And accusing people of trotting out soundbites when one's own posts are just mouthy slogans is all a bit pots and kettles.

The thing is though the UK govt and WHO did not say from the start that mask wearing was an important defence. In fact the rhetoric was more like it’s more important to wash your hands. Of course it’s obvious now that they just wanted to hold ppe back for medical staff. BUT saying “not much point” then saying “actually please do it now” does create mixed messages which do not encourage compliance. Maybe wearing masks had a real point in April but how useful is it now actually in the UK?

Yes the science changes I get that but when the overall incidence is low in many parts of the country and mask wearing hasn’t stopped cases rising in say Spain and it’s unpleasant to wear a mask particularly when it’s hot then I can see why it’s getting some kick back.

I saw a stupid article the other day that said 2 year olds and up should wear a mask. When my kids were 2 it was hard to keep them wearing their shoes never mind a mask.

I don’t think it’s as simple as ‘when the r rate is this’ or ‘x is that’. I’d say it’s a combination of factors, which as research moves forward every day, can change. Problem with the government giving ‘set milestones’ is that when they don’t happen, people complain. I remember reading a story about a business ‘expecting to open in x day and how angry they were it was pushed back 2 weeks’ ... even though the government was clear that it was a ‘goal’ date depends at on certain thighs - and of course they hadn’t happened, so business wasn’t allowed to open. Yet they still gave out stink about it.
At the end of the day, it’s a mask. Other countries have been doing it for months ....

I'm certainly no fan of masks, they steam up my specs, make me hot and give me spots. I will wear them while it is mandatory and not a second beyond.
That said think it will be easier in winter as lots of us usually tuck our faces into scarves and I'd like to think come weather warming up next spring we will have very low numbers and a viable vaccine on the cards.

comtesse- the scientific community has always recommended masks. It's the govt that chose to ignore that. If you watch some of the very early pressers, the daily chosen one often said something completely wrong, and you could see the scientists look sharply at TCO and open their mouth and then think about their bread being buttered and on what side and shut it again. I used one of them (with Harries flapping about like a goldfish) torn between wanting to correct Rishi and not daring to in my body language class.

Ocarina- I tuck my mask under my glasses, I look a nana but it stays put better.

On February 3rd at 11.47am GMT

Come on, Diana. I can completely understand that you CBA to RTFT, but at least read my replies before you mention dates.

Like a few PP, my mask rides up my face and pokes me in the eyes. There is absolutely no way I could drive safely while wearing one. I cannot see the road

A local taxi driver i used the day the mask rule for shops came in had/has the same problem.

I find they ride up into my eyes too. A PP on another thread fell down and smashed her knee because they interfered with her depth perception.

I have decided not to go anywhere to avoid this. Not sure how many others will be doing the same. I've not been in a shop since march. I get food delivered. I won't be going into shops for leisure this year. No desire to go anywhere.

I feel stupid in them. I've got a high bridge nose and I feel like it's bent in a mask making a funny shape. They also are even worse in this heat.

I also want to smile at people and don't want to be surrounded by masked up people. I'm also anxious.

I know I'm a dick for not embracing it. But at least I am staying away and taking full responsibility for not going out. I don't like them. I don't like the new normal. I can't wait for this shit show to end.

Personally I expect the masks to stay for six months! But some will choose to wear them forever now.

I don't know how long. Asking the government about this is pointless, as they have little clue.

Pretty much when the government realises that its damaging the economy more rather than boosting it which was the whole reason it was introduced, if you read Matt Hancocks address to parliament he stated that they were being made mandatory to encourage people back into shops! From what I have seen and read its having the opposite effect and that will probably be the overriding reason to u turn on it, but the actual reasoning will be given as some change in science/cases/understanding of the virus or whatever makes them look better! Xx

@fsklgf

The flu is causing far more deaths now than Covid but we have never had to wear one for the flu. The whole situation is a depressing illogical mess

Isn't that the same as saying why not reopen schools and bars and concerts etc. now, since even the flu is killing more people than COVID now?

COVID is killing less people BECAUSE we have measures in place to reduce its spread (which includes masks). If we stop all that, won't deaths shoot back up again?

To be fair, the measures in place to reduce coronavirus will also be reducing flu, surely? So flu is still causing more deaths, with measures in place that will slow the spread of both.

That’s an excellent point Frazzled

Thank you Scorpio. People who throw the term "muzzle" to describe a face mask can hardly to said to be furthering an intelligent argument.

@Wishfulthinking1977

It's definitely putting people off. But I appreciate for some it's reassuring. I haven't bothered with shops. Doesn't seem natural to go out to "enjoy" browsing with a mask on. It's also putting me off days out. I can't see the point in soft play etc requiring only over 11s to wear them. Its also hot weather and not everyone wants an extra thing to sweat through. The final thing is feeling self conscious. Not being able to smile at people. Or makeup getting smeared on them etc.

I'm a hot mess as it is pushing a pushchair and dragging older kids along. I cba with it. So I'm not bothering. I'll shop online until we are allowed out faces out again.

@Wishfulthinking1977

www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/20/estee-lauder-plans-to-cut-up-to-2000-jobs-globally-profits-dive-coronavirus?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1597940706

Estée Lauder is planning to cut up to 2,000 jobs worldwide as it shuts stores and department store beauty counters after a slump in sales and profits during the coronavirus pandemic.

The makeup, skincare and perfume company, which also owns brands such as Joe Malone, Clinique, La Mer and MAC, said it intended to shut between 10% and 15% of its freestanding stores, with job cuts amounting to about 3% of its global workforce - mostly in stores as well as related support roles.

The cuts are expected to save the company up to $400m (£300m) a year. Estée Lauder revealed net profits more than halved to $680m in the year to June. The fall came despite the group making $800m worth of savings including cuts to advertising, travel and a recruitment freeze. A quarterly dividend due in June was also ditched

While online sales surged during the pandemic, this did not fully offset the temporary closure of retail outlets around the world, Estée Lauder said. Sales were also hit by the reduction in air travel, which affected trade at airports.

Fabrizio Freda, its chief executive, said the group had delivered record sales and earnings growth in the first half of the financial year . But then the coronavirus crisis hit its business, owing to the closure of offices and retailers as well as significant decline in social gatherings, the company added. Demand for skin care was resilient, with sales up by a quarter for core products from Estée Lauder and La Mer. However, sales of makeup, haircare and fragrance all fell while beauty counters and salons were closed for weeks.

Physical distancing rules meant that close contact beauty treatments, such as facials, makeovers and eyebrow grooming, which are key parts of the sales pitch in department store beauty halls’, only resumed on 15 August in England. Many beauty halls remain closed.

Sales of lipstick, which is traditionally counted as a comforting purchase in hard times, have fallen during the crisis partly as a result of the need to wear masks in many public places

The Estée Lauder figures reflect changes across the industry.The UK health & beauty chain Boots plans to shed 4,000 jobs – the equivalent of 7% of its workforce – despite strong online growth. The beauty group L’Oreal, said its sales decreased by more than 11% in the first half of this year.

Estée Lauder said the pandemic had accelerated changes in where consumers shop, what they value, why they purchase products and how they engage with brands.

These latest job cuts came as the US reported a 135,000 increase in the number of people seeking unemployment benefits. Claims rose to 1.1m last week, compared with an expected fall to 925,000, evidence that many employers continued to slash jobs as coronavirus affects the economy. A rising number of people who have lost jobs said they consider their loss to be permanent.

I wear one from 07.30-19.30 when I am at work. I then have to change it for a cloth mask until I get outside. That first lungful of fresh air is always the best.
I bloody hate them and want to know an end date too

How long til we hear of the first person getting ill or worse from wearing a mask? It’ll be something freak, but it’ll happen, just like x number of people per year die in accidents with clothes horses or whatever

Or an accident. A local taxi driver told me he cant stop his from riding up into his eyes. I have the same problem but im not driving a cab.